Journey to the Dragon Mountain is the third book in the Bamboo Kingdom series.
Leaf and Rain are featured on the cover with Ghost in the background.
Dedication[]
For the doctors, cleaners, farmers, and other essential workers who kept us safe during the pandemic. Thank you.
Special thanks to CCPPG for their inspiration and creativity, and for enabling Erin Hunter to bring Bamboo Kingdom to the world.
Blurb[]
- It's WARRIORS—but with pandas! In the third installment of our newest series by bestselling author Erin Hunter, the panda siblings must set out on an arduous journey to save the Bamboo Kingdom from the corrupt Dragon Speaker.
- The triplets of the Bamboo Kingdom are ready to step into their roles as Dragon Speakers. But in order to fulfill their destiny, they first need to find each other. With Ghost stuck performing as wicked Sunset's right-hand man and Rain and Leaf separated across far-flung corners of the land, a reunion feels impossible.
- Sunset's plans to rule the Bamboo Kingdom are only becoming more nefarious. With the monkeys on his side, Ghost has no chance of stopping him all on his own. And though Leaf and Rain are doing everything in their power to find their lost sibling, they are held back by treacherous journeys, sneaky enemies, and even doubtful fellow pandas.
- If they're going to make it all the way across the Bamboo Kingdom to the Dragon Mountain, they're going to need to face their greatest fears. But little do they know that help can come from the unlikeliest of places—and that fate, one way or another, always finds a way.
Plot[]
Prologue[]
Snowstorm's point of view.
Snowstorm and her brother Frost are at the Endless Maw. She takes in the scenery and reminisces about her cubhood and Winter's death. She and Frost plan to make the leap today and thinks about how after they make the leap the Snow Cat's paw prints will guide her and Frost their separate ways. However Snowstorm assures herself that both her and her brother are able to survive alone since they had managed to hunt and fight after their mother's death. Snowstorm thinks back to the time an elderly snow leopard named Flurry failed to take their cave. Frost asks what Snowstorm thinks Shiver and Ghost are doing now, to which she hopes that they are somewhere warm and safe. Although its has been a while since Ghost and Shiver departed the White Spine Mountains, Snowstorm still feels guilty for blaming Ghost for their mother's death.
Snowstorm hears a taunting voice coming from a nearby tree and sees Brisk and Sleet lounging in the tree. The cubs Born of Icebound remind Frost and Snowstorm of their mother's death and Ghost's failed attempt of jumping the Maw. Snowstorm feints an attack on them whilst Frost returns their taunts. After scaring Brisk and Sleet the cubs Born of Winter decide to ignore them and begin the leap. Snowstorm leaps first and successfully reaches the other side. She then turns to encourage her brother to jump. Frost's leap is too short and he dangles on the cliff side. Snowstorm rushes to pull her brother up, careful not to get dragged down into the Maw. She manages to pull Frost to safety and hears Brisk's excitement on the opposite side of the crevasse. Sleet bats his sister and sniggers at Frost's near death.
An earthquake shakes the snow covered ground and scares Brisk and Sleet away. When it stops, Snowstorm ponders whether the earthquake was a sign sent by the Snow Cat. Frost looks at the smoke being emitted from the Dragon Mountain and asks Snowstorm if the Snow Cat is angry. Snowstorm decides that it would be best for her and Frost to stay together and states that it is what the Snow Cat and Winter would have wanted. She prays that Shiver and Ghost do the same.
Chapter 1[]
Rain's point of view.
Rain and Peony are trapped in the pit. Rain picks a fight with Ghost who stands guard over them. Rain mocks Ghost's past and his upbringing with snow leopards, calling him a thug and one of Sunset's pawns. Ghost growls back defending Winter's name and threatens to fight. Jitterpaws joins in on the argument teasing Rain and Peony as well as stating Sunset's arrival. Sunset arrives and is amused by the quarreling pandas.
Sunset coerces Rain into telling him a prophecy sent by the Great Dragon. Rain, despite not having had any visions, seizes the opportunity and tells Sunset that she foresees that one of the Southern Troop monkeys will be sick. Jitterpaws, who Rain has noticed had overindulged in ginkgo fruit, vomits. Sunset is enraged and orders the monkeys to reduce Rain and Peony's meals. As Sunset, Jitterpaws, and Ghost leave, a different monkey tosses down six ginkgo fruits. At first Rain is confused since the food wasn't reduced. She looks up and notices the monkey to be Nimbletail. Just as Rain is about to question her motives, Nimbletail holds a finger to her lips and warns Rain to come up with convincing prophecy otherwise she will anger Brawnshanks.
When Nimbletail leaves, Rain and Peony eat the fruit and hide the rest for the Feast of Moon Climb. When Peony goes to sleep, Rain attempts to scale the muddy walls of the pit. She is hopeful that she would reach higher than she did in previous nights. But when Rain reaches the top she sees slitted eyes and falls back down in surprise. Rain doesn't believe that the eyes belonged to Shadowhunter and concludes that there is something else watching her.
Chapter 2[]
Leaf's point of view.
Leaf and Dasher are travelling with her newfound brother Pepper. As they walk together, Leaf ponders about Rain and Plum's whereabouts and hopes that Rain did not cross the river to confront Sunset by herself. When she tells the others about her worries and mentions traveling to the Southern Forest, Pepper refuses, claiming that he had seen Rain in the Northern Forest. Dasher is suspicious of Pepper and points out that Pepper said Leaf was the first triplet he met, not Rain. To which Pepper nervously corrects Dasher by saying he only saw Rain so they technically never met. Leaf dismisses Dasher's suspicions and explains that Pepper has been through a lot and has a right to be confused. The group follows Pepper's lead as he goes deeper into the Northern Forest.
On the way, Leaf asks Pepper about his cubhood and whether he had an adult to care for him. Pepper simply answers that he was alone for a while but he remembers his infancy and seeing Rain and Leaf beside him. Leaf is in awe of Pepper's memory whilst Dasher doubts Pepper's claim and mentions that he has never met anybody able to remember their infancy in such detail. Leaf suggests that Pepper's good memory is one of his strong suits, similar to Rain's swimming skills, and Leaf's climbing ability. She then asks Pepper if he remembers their mother Orchid. Pepper replies saying that he does and describes Orchid as having deep eyes, the scent of bamboo, and fur soft as dew.
As the group continues their search for the dried-up riverbed that Pepper claims to have seen Rain near, they enter a dark and ominous forest. As they stop to feast, Leaf collects the scarce bamboo shoots as Dasher searches the forest for grub and prey. Dasher returns panicked claiming to have heard loud and heavy noises, he then asks whether he can share the bamboo Leaf had collected instead of returning to the forest. As the group finishes eating, Leaf asks Dasher if he had seen any water that they could drink. Dasher leads them to a wallow with a few clear pools of water. The pandas drink but are interrupted by a pair of territorial boars. The boars charge at them, forcing the pandas to climb the trees. As the group escapes the boars, they find a dried-up riverbed and continue the search for Rain. Dasher whispers to Leaf that he hears something in the trees. A patrol of golden monkeys led by Quickfingers appear and search the pandas. When the monkeys see Pepper, they retreat and claim that they have the information they came for. After the encounter with the monkeys, Leaf questions Pepper why they didn't attack him and why they didn't check their grip pads. Dasher become even more suspicious of Pepper.
Chapter 3[]
Ghost's point of view.
Ghost walks through the Feast Clearing and watches as the other Prosperhills avoid him. He reminds himself that he returned with blood on his muzzle after Pepper's disappearance which have led many of the Prosperhill Pandas to think that Ghost killed Pepper. Ghost approaches Sunset's den and sees that Sunset is not feeling well. Sunset orders Ghost to deal with a visiting pangolin that has been pestering him about her territory. Ghost approaches the pangolin and offers to listen to her side of the story. The pangolin explains that she and her kin have inhabited the Broken Forest for as long as they can remember, and that golden monkeys invaded her territory claiming that the Dragon Speaker had granted it to them. She then concludes that she came to Sunset to settle the situation in which he denies giving the monkeys permission and refuses to see the Broken Forest. Ghost warns the pangolin that Sunset had lied and that she should leave for her own safety. The shocked pangolin eventually decides to leave Prosperhill but first asks Ghost why he still works for Sunset if he's a liar. Ghost replies by saying that he doesn't know why.
Before reporting back to Sunset, Ghost decides to stall by walking to the river bank. He sees Egg Rocks and yearns to escape, yet reminds himself that he is the only one who knows about Sunset's true nature and that Rain and Peony are imprisoned. He sees Shiver on the other side of the bank and is overjoyed to reunite with his sister. Shiver explains to Ghost that she never left and that she was watching over him the entire time. She tells Ghost about her plan to free Rain and Peony, and to recruit Nimbletail. Ghost is relieved to have finally have a plan to follow.
Chapter 4[]
Rain's point of view.
Rain lies in the pit and has a vision of swimming. In her vision, she sees Sunset drowning. When she wakes up from her vision, she ponders if she can somehow fulfill the vision by leading Sunset to a specific body of water. Rain is concerned with her mother's health and offers Peony her rations of hidden ginkgo fruit. She also observes that despite Nimbletail's help, the amount of food and water is not enough to keep her and Peony alive. Rain decides to attempt to climb out of the pit but first yells for water to see if the golden monkeys are nearby. She only hears sniggering, to which she stealthily climbs up the pit to eavesdrop on the monkeys. A monkey named Silvermane returns from an unknown location telling Brawnshanks that he has brought 'it'. Rain slips on the pit wall and falls loudly down, alerting the monkeys.
Brawnshanks and his troop approach the pit in which Rain pretends to have been yelling demands. Rain pleads for Brawnshanks to release Peony, saying that she is not a Dragon Speaker and is no use to Sunset. Brawnshanks considers this offer only to ask whether Rain has a prophecy that she will share. Rain considers telling Brawnshanks the vision of Sunset's death but ultimately decides that it is too risky. She makes the deal with Brawnshanks and tells him a fake prophecy about the dreamleaf wilting and dying. Brawnshanks doesn't see the prophecy as anything useful and dismisses Rain's demand to free her mother.
Later that night Shiver jumps into the pit. Rain is prepared to fight Shiver, however, Peony introduces Shiver to Rain and explains that she is Ghost's sister. Rain is suspicious of Shiver's motives, however, Ghost appears from the top of the pit throwing down two canes of bamboo. He then explains that he wants to help them defeat Sunset.
Chapter 5[]
Ghost's point of view.
Sunset is sick and his scar on his flank is inflamed. Ghost listens to Blossom and Ginseng's fretting until Sunset rudely dismisses them. They both leave with Ghost behind them, however Sunset halts Ghost directing him to stay with him. Ghost assumes that Sunset trusts him the most out of all the pandas in his inner circle because he believes Ghost to a useful idiot rather than a schemer like Blossom. Ghost wishes to enact the plan, however he and Shiver still require Nimbletail's assistance thus leaving Ghost to pretend to be one of Sunset's cronies.
Sunset asks Ghost whether he has dealt with the pangolin, to which Ghost confirms that the pangolin is no longer a problem. Sunset then rants about the three triplet pandas and how they threaten the peace of the Bamboo Kingdom. He tells Ghost that despite killing Pepper, and imprisoning Rain, there is still one triplet left, to which he counts on Ghost to deal with. Ghost simply lies to Sunset and accepts his duty. Brawnshanks intrudes on the conversation and Ghost pretends to be enraged with the monkey's intrusion on Sunset's privacy. Sunset asks what Brawnshanks wants to which he replies that he has interesting news to share with Sunset alone. Sunset dismisses Ghost.
Ghost meets with Shiver and Nimbletail by the river bank. Nimbletail scolds Ghost for being late, claiming that she doesn't have much time before her absence is noticed. Ghost assures her that Brawnshanks is in a meeting with Sunset right now. Shiver asks Nimbletail what Brawnshanks' aims are and why he is helping Sunset. Nimbletail tells them that Brawnshanks is obsessed with controlling the Broken Forest and he claims that it is the ancestral homeland of the Southern Forest Troop. Apart from that, Nimbletail knows nothing more. Shiver asks if Nimbletail is willing to aid in the escape plan to which Nimbletail agrees with the condition that they all leave the Southern Forest so that Brawnshanks doesn't find out that she betrayed the troop. The group agrees and decide to enact the escape plan tomorrow night.
Ghost spends the rest of the day lurking around the clearing and keeping his distance from Sunset in order to avoid taking part in his schemes. When Ghost goes to lay down during the Feast of Dying Light he notices Pebble moving his nest away from his. Ghost feels hurt but also confused as to why Pebble hasn't done this sooner. The next day Ghost decides to meet with Sunset in order to keep up the act of being his lackey. He comments on Sunset's improved condition after his illness. Sunset reveals to Ghost that he is feeling better because he didn't eat anything yesterday, he then concludes that the dreamleaf was poisoned by Brawnshanks. Sunset orders Ghost to accompany him as he travels to confront Brawnshanks. When they meet with the Southern Forest Troop Brawnshanks pokes fun at Sunset's accusation, which solidifies his responsibility for Sunset's illness. Sunset yells at the monkeys claiming that they should listen to their Dragon Speaker, however Brawnshanks' tone changes and he tells Sunset that he is the one who is really in charge. Brawnshanks then threatens to reveal the truth about Sunset to the other Prosperhills as well as his crimes of murder and fraud. Brawnshanks ends the conversation by warning Sunset that if anything happens to him he will always have one of his loyal monkeys reveal the truth. Having been defeated by the monkeys, Sunset lashes out in a fit of rage on the undergrowth and Ghost carefully runs away.
Ghost returns to the clearing just in time to see Sunset perform a ritual with the Great Dragon. Sunset then tells the Prosperhills that the Dragon wishes for the Southern Forest Troop to occupy the Broken Forest and claims that it should be every pandas duty to protect the monkeys. Ghost is surprised that Sunset is following Brawnshanks' orders and comes to the realization that Brawnshanks spoke the truth about Sunset being a fraud. After the ritual Sunset comes to Ghost and orders him to escort the monkeys to the Broken Forest. Ghost confused asks why, to which Sunset says that his real order is to kill the monkeys.
Chapter 6[]
Rain's point of view.
It is the dead of night and Rain and Peony patiently wait in the pit. Rain hears Nimbletail approaching the monkey guards and telling them that Brawnshanks is ordering all monkeys to come to the defense of the Broken Forest against the pandas in the Northern Forest. The guards hesitate leaving the prisoners at first but after Nimbletail pressures the importance of Brawnshanks' orders they eventually decide to leave with her. Rain and Peony use the opportunity to climb out of the pit using the paw holds that Shiver secretly dug out.
Once they are out they make their way towards the river where they are supposed to meet with Ghost. However on their path they come across Pebble. Rain is overjoyed to see her friend but is then reminded of his betrayal. She and Peony beg Pebble to let them pass however Pebble alerts Sunset and his followers instead. Blossom and Ginseng leap onto Rain and Peony as Sunset orders to kill them from afar. Peony and Rain manage to escape their grasp and are led by Shiver to Egg Rocks. As they enter the Northern Forest Rain expresses her anger for Ghost's absence in the fight. Shiver tells Rain that he must have a good reason for not appearing tonight.
Chapter 7[]
Leaf's point of view.
Leaf, Pepper, and Dasher continue searching for Rain. They come across a cave to which Pepper believes Rain has entered. As they search the cave they meet Finest, a manul cat, and she criticizes the amount of pandas that pass through her territory. Leaf comes to the conclusion that the Darkpool Pandas alongside the Goldleaf Red Pandas must have passed through here and asks Finest to point them in their direction. Both Leaf and Dasher are excited to be reunited with their families and hope that Rain somehow joined with the Darkpool Pandas. As they climb down a steep ridge, Pepper claims that he does not believe that Rain passed through here. Leaf assumes this is Pepper's excuse to avoid climbing down the rocks and decides to coax Pepper down the ridge.
After clearing the ridge the group finds the Darkpool Pandas, who are now known as the Hollowtree Pandas, and race towards them. Pepper hangs back and whispers that Rain may not be with them. Leaf and Dasher are welcomed by the pandas and red pandas and she introduces Pepper as her brother and fellow Dragon Speaker. Leaf also notices Rain and Plum's absence and assumes that they are still wandering the Northern Forest. The Hollowtree Pandas ask whether Pepper and Leaf will join them for the Feast of Dying Light. Pepper is given the honor of reciting the blessings however he insists that Leaf joins him. While reciting the blessings Leaf notices how Pepper repeats the blessings only after Leaf says them. She assumes that Pepper doesn't know the blessings because he was alone for a long time. While the pandas eat the bamboo Pepper glares at Grass' cane and tells Leaf that as Dragon Speakers they deserve the best food. Before Leaf can stop him, Pepper orders Grass to switch bamboo with him and patronizes the other pandas. Leaf notices Crabapple and Dasher's disapproval at Pepper's actions.
A large female panda interrupts the feast and tells the Hollowtree Pandas that Pepper is her son. Leaf mistakes her for Orchid only to be the corrected by the newcomer, whose name is Goji, saying that she is not Leaf's mother and has been looking for Pepper for a month. As the Hollowtrees ask Leaf what is happening, Leaf realizes that Pepper is not her brother or a Dragon Speaker, but instead a liar.
Chapter 8[]
Ghost's point of view.
Ghost escorts Jitterpaws, Sweetfur, and Heavyfist as they journey through the Northern Forest in order to arrive at the Broken Forest. Ghost feels uncomfortable with the monkeys as they choose to walk beside him on the ground instead of swinging in the trees, and worries that the monkeys might know that Sunset lied about the squirrels. The sun sets as the group arrives at the Broken Forest. Ghost looks at the place and wonders why the Broken Forest Troop want such a devasted territory. The entire troop appear out of the shadows of the Broken Forest and start to surround Ghost. Brawnshanks appears as well and explains that his troop mates have reported Pepper to be alive and informed Sunset, who in turn ordered the monkeys to kill Ghost. Ghost lashes out saying that he won't do anyone's dirty work no more. However Brawnshanks says that he also wants Ghost dead and that he knows who he really is.
The Broken Forest Troop swarms Ghost and manages to tire him out. Shadowhunter appears and joins the battle against the monkeys and orders Ghost to run away. Ghost listens to Shadowhunter and tries to run away from the Broken Forest. The valley is too steep for Ghost to climb, so he hides under a red bush, thankful that no monkeys managed to see where he went. Brawnshanks, furious at Ghost's escape, brutally rips his troopmates away from the beaten tiger and orders them after Ghost. As the monkeys leave the clearing, Ghost comes out of hiding and approaches Shadowhunter's lying body. he asks how the tiger knows him and why he helped him. Shadowhunter uses the last of his strength to tell Ghost to return to the White Spine Mountains and look for the ancient stones of the panda's jaws and the tiger's eye, the Dragon Speaker and the Watcher. There he will find a secret tunnel where he can retrieve the Dragon Speaker stone. Confused, Ghost honors the wishes of Shadowhunter and aims to venture back to his home.
Chapter 9[]
Leaf's point of view.
The initial uproar of Pepper's fraud has died down, however Leaf can't believe that Pepper had lied to her, or that he is still trying to convince everyone that he still is a Dragon Speaker. Goji is relieved but also infuriated that Pepper bit off his own grip pad for his ruse. As the Hollowtree Pandas and Goldleaf Red Pandas interrogate Pepper, Crabapple accuses Pepper of acting as a spy for Sunset. However Goji comes to Pepper's defense claiming that Pepper has always made up stories and lied since he was a cub in order to be the center of attention. Leaf asks Pepper if this is true, to which Pepper claims that he overheard pandas talking about how important the triplets were and that they believed him to be one, despite never telling them anything. He then complains that Sunset wanted him dead and that he sent a white panda after him. Leaf is reluctant to believe anything that Pepper says and the Hollowtrees and Goldleaf Red Pandas contemplate on what to do with Pepper and Goji. Crabapple suggests to kick both of them out of the group, but Leaf refuses to abandon them despite their betrayal. Nobody argues with Leaf because she is the Dragon Speaker, and Goji is thankful for her mercy.
Later that night Leaf finds a comfortable sleeping place in a tree where she can look down on the Hollowtree Pandas and the Goldleaf Red Pandas. Dasher joins her and she apologizes to him for believing in Pepper’s lies and letting him lead them halfway across the Bamboo Kingdom. Dasher tells her that he also wished that Pepper could have been the missing triplet but suggests that they should reunite with Rain and find the real triplet. As Dasher tucks in closer to Leaf and falls asleep she remains awake until the Feast of Moonclimb. When she joins the other Hollowtrees she asks Gale why the pandas took on the name of Hollowtree. Gale tells her that they are close to the Hollow Fir, which is one of the many sacred sites where the Dragon Speaker would spread their message to the rest of the Bamboo Kingdom. Leaf wonders if she can use the Hollow Fir to communicate with the Great Dragon, Gale knowing what Leaf is thinking points to where the Hollow Fir is. Leaf heads to the Hollow Fir and notices it has a natural cave formed in its trunk with spongy moss carpeting the inside’s walls and ground. Leaf enters the Hollow Fir and stares up at the purple and white flowers hanging above her, praying to the Great Dragon to show her its will. After a while Leaf notices that nothing is happening and assumes that the Great Dragon doesn’t have a message for her now. She is then spooked by flying creatures that greet her. She notices that they ar flying squirrels and sees that a variety of other birds and flying mammals gather before Leaf. She tells the animals to search for her sister and her missing triplet whom have a white grip paw like her. The animals obey Leaf and set off to find the missing pandas.
Chapter 10[]
Rain's point of view.
Rain, Shiver, and Peony are luring Sunset and some of his cronies up toward the mountains to find the black pool. The three animals allow Sunset to see them and run, climbing a tree once safely out of sight. Frustrated, Sunset orders his guards to spread out, eats some bamboo, and falls asleep. Rain attempts a tricky climb into the bamboo where Sunset got his meal, but breaks one of the canes and alerts the guards. Now alone, Rain leads them to the river and dives in, swimming to a safe spot, where she overhears Sunset telling his lackeys to gather all the pandas in the kingdom to find the triplets. While trying to find a safe path back, Rain runs into Stillwater, asking the crane what to do next.
Chapter 11[]
Ghost's point of view.
While climbing the White Spine Mountains in a snowstorm, Ghost accidentally finds his way back to Winter's cave and steps inside. There, he is confronted by two snow leopards, only to find it is Frost and Snowstorm. The three siblings joyfully reunite and catch up on their adventures, and Frost and Snowstorm forgive Ghost for Winter's death and driving him away. Ghost tells them about the tiger who sent him to find the tiger's eye and panda's jaws stones. The snow leopards think they know places like that, and they all sleep together, only to be woken by Icebound and her brood. Unseen in the shadows, Ghost watches the leopard family try to get prey from his siblings, before stepping out and defending them. Ghost frightens the three leopards away and is cheered by his siblings, thinking how happy he is to be himself.
Chapter 12[]
Leaf's point of view.
Leaf and Dasher wait for the Dragon's messengers to return, and are interrupted by Pepper. The young panda is awed by what Leaf is doing, and offers to be her make-believe triplet. Leaf tells him it would be better if they were friends, but just then the messengers return with the disappointing news that they found nothing. The Hollowtree pandas and Goldleaf red pandas appear and offer to help Leaf find her siblings, with all of the group splitting up to cover the most ground. Up in the hills, Stillwater appears leading Shiver, Rain, and Peony to Leaf. The two sisters reunite happily and Dasher leaves to get purple leaf for the ailing Peony. Rain tells Leaf the whole story of their capture by Sunset and escape, including Plum's death which horrifies Leaf. Later, Rain finds time to tell Leaf about her vision of Sunset's death, and Leaf thinks it sounds like the Darkpool and brings her to it. Rain senses she needs to swim to the bottom, and dives in.
Chapter 13[]
Rain's point of view.
Rain swims to the bottom of the Darkpool, where she finds a bear's skeleton. Touching its skull grants her a vision of Sunset by the Darkpool, with a second Sunset joining him. Rain soon learns this is Sunset and his brother, Dusk. The two pandas engage in small talk before Sunset tells Dusk of the prophecy that triplets would succeed him. Dusk is furious at this news, and Sunset turns to him, revealing that Dusk set him up to kill him. Dusk immediately attacks Sunset, gaining his familiar scar in the ensuing fight, and manages to drown him in the pool. Dusk takes Sunset's Dragon Speaker stone and the vision ends, with Rain back in the Darkpool. She pays her respects to the real Sunset and swims back up to Leaf, only to be found by all the Prosperhill pandas, led by the panda Rain now knows to be Dusk.
Chapter 14[]
Leaf's point of view.
Leaf watches in shock as the Prosperhill pandas appear, and Rain starts to explain to all of them how Dusk got his scar. Dusk attempts to convince them Rain is lying, but the Hollowtree pandas and the red pandas appear and realize "Sunset" is a fake. Rain reveals him as Dusk, realizing the death of Sunset a year prior was the cause of the great flood that had torn the kingdom apart. Angry, Dusk shouts that Sunset was doing nothing with his power and Dusk could have done more, pulling out his stone and declaring that pandas will rule the kingdom. The Prosperhill pandas finally realize Dusk's ruse and join forces with the Hollowtrees, except Blossom and Ginseng. Brawnshanks and the Broken Forest Troop appear to taunt Dusk, and Brawnshanks steals his stone, allowing another monkey to shatter it into dust. To every animal's horror, Brawnshanks declares that the Dragon Speakers are no more.
Chapter 15[]
Ghost's point of view.
Ghost, Snowstorm, and Frost are digging in the snow in search of the stones, and Snowstorm uncovers a huge yellow and black stone, which Ghost recognizes as the tiger's eye. A little ways away, they also uncover a big white rock shaped like a panda's jaws. To find the exact middle of the two stones, Ghost waits for Snowstorm to walk back to the Watcher stone, then roars so she, Frost, and himself can start walking and meet in the middle. Once there, they dig into a tunnel that leads into a cave made of beautifully colored stone. Awed, the three siblings search for a blue stone for Ghost to find. Ghost finds a second tunnel leading into another cave, in which a herd of goats are sheltering. At first, they are terrified of Ghost, believing he and the snow leopards will eat them, but Ghost shows them the way out. Frost then spots a seam of blue rock in the shape of what Ghost realizes is the Great Dragon. Unsure how to take some of its stone, he walks up to it, but then one of the stones in the seam falls on his head. Ghost picks it up, uncertain of where to bring it, only to spot Winter's tail leading him out of the cave. He chases after it, emerging from the cave to see a vision of Winter, Plum, and Orchid, though he does not recognize the latter. They show him the path to the Dragon Mountain, and then disappear. Shocked, Ghost tries to explain what he just saw to his siblings, realizing he must bring the stone to the mountain.
Chapter 16[]
Rain's point of view.
Brawnshanks and his troop leave, laughing over the destruction of the stone, while the pandas desperately worry about what will happen without it. Rain confronts Dusk, angry over the destruction of her and her siblings' rightful stone, while Dusk is furious that his plans have fallen apart because of her. Rain, Leaf, and all the giant pandas and red pandas charge Dusk, Blossom, and Ginseng and chase them away. Rain then reveals that she and Leaf are the true Dragon Speakers, holding up their white grip pads to prove it, and explains what happened to the real Sunset. The pandas all decide to gather together to pay their respects to him. While walking back, Pebble finds Rain and apologizes to her for not believing her about Dusk, and Rain checks on Peony. That night, the pandas hold Sunset's farewell feast, and Leaf adds a flower for Plum.
Chapter 17[]
Leaf's point of view.
Leaf is alone in a tree, thinking of Plum, when Rain comes to join her. Just then, the bats arrive to report that they have not found the third triplet, though they searched the forests. After they leave, Leaf and Rain suddenly spot a vision of Plum and hurry down to her. Plum leads them up to the mountains, where they find the spirits of Orchid and unknown to them, Winter. The three of them show the sisters a vision of the Dragon Mountain before disappearing. Leaf is confused, but Rain realizes they are meant to go to the Dragon Mountain this time.
When they get back to the others, the two sisters announce that they had a vision from the Dragon and must go, while Rain catches Shiver and asks her about Winter. Leaf and Rain set off into the mountains, but on their first night there, Pepper wakes them to warn them that Dusk is near.
Chapter 18[]
Rain's point of view.
Pepper guides Leaf and Rain to a hiding place where they can lose Dusk, Blossom, and Ginseng. When he leads them to a bamboo stand thick enough for them to hide in, he steps out and confronts Dusk, trying to convince him that the sisters returned to the ridge. Pepper bravely climbs a tree and leads Dusk and his thugs away, allowing Leaf and Rain to continue traveling.
After several days of their journey, they arrive in the ravine where they first came to the Dragon Mountain. That night, while sleeping near the ravine, an earthquake wakes them. Both pandas watch as the previous rockslide falls away, leaving the path clear once more. While climbing up it, Rain spots Ghost and greets him joyfully, realizing he was the third triplet all along. She asks Ghost to show them his grip pad, and he complies, revealing that all of his paw pads are pure white. The doubtful white panda grumbles that they're not making sense before showing them the stone he carried all the way there, much to their surprise. Leaf and Rain explain to Ghost that all three of them are siblings and Dragon Speakers, making Ghost realize what was puzzling him the whole time, as Leaf realizes they're going to be inducted as proper Dragon Speakers.
Chapter 19[]
Ghost's point of view.
Ghost is still in disbelief that he has sisters and that all three of them are Dragon Speakers. While he, Leaf, and Rain are walking through a chasm toward the Dragon Mountain, Rain asks if only one of them can use the Dragon Speaker stone that Ghost is holding. Ghost worried that he didn’t think of this, asks if it is true that Dragon Speakers can communicate through the stone like Sunset did. Leaf curiously asks why Ghost was not surprised that Dusk was pretending to be Sunset. Ghost tells them that he didn’t know, but he had seen Dusk’s rage and lies and didn’t need to question that he was an imposter. A rumbling roar echos from the Dragon Mountain and alerts the triplets. Thinking it's the Great Dragon, they continue onwards and follow a snow-covered path that coils around the mountain. Ghost gives his sisters advice on how not to fall off the ledge while they travel.
Skittering stones alert Ghost and he sees Dusk, Ginseng, and Blossom looking down at the triplets from a path above them. The three pandas slide down to where the triplets are and battle them. Dusk taunts Ghost, saying that no panda would accept a freak like Ghost even as Dragon Speaker. Dusk tears Ghost’s ear and the Dragon Mountain roars again. Leaf and Rain tell the attacking pandas that the Great Dragon is angry with them for attacking Dragon Speakers. Blossom and Ginseng, scared of the Great Dragon, scramble over Dusk and flee away. Dusk body slams Ghost into the mountainside and Ghost bangs his head, confusing the attack for him falling into a snowdrift after racing Frost and Snowstorm. He wonders if Winter will pull him out of the snowdrift and slowly loses consciousness.
Chapter 20[]
Leaf's point of view.
Leaf and Rain race up the mountain pathway hoping to gain an advantage by dropping onto Dusk. As Leaf looks behind her she doesn’t see Dusk nor Ghost. She hears a scuffle on the path below and sees a trail of blood. However, Leaf quickly stops before falling off a flat ledge and feels Rain bump into her. Before them stands a cave entrance shaped like a roaring mouth. Rain and Leaf hesitate to enter the cavern, but Rain tells Leaf that Ghost will come soon and that they should enter. They enter the cavern and see it open up to a deep crater with light coming from an opening in the ceiling. Leaf and Rain don’t see the Great Dragon and start to worry that it never existed. They hear someone entering the cavern and believe that it is Ghost only for Dusk to reveal himself. Dusk tries to battle Rain and push Leaf into the crater however he is stopped by Ghost. All three triplets continue to battle Dusk until Rain is pushed towards the crater’s edge. Ghost and Leaf rush to pull Rain away from the crater, however, Dusk corners the triplets against the crater edge. Dusk tells the siblings that they will soon meet the Great Dragon as he prepares to swipe at them, however, he is pushed onto the ground by Shadowhunter.
Chapter 21[]
Ghost's point of view.
Dusk tells Shadowhunter to back off and that pandas rule the Bamboo Kingdom, not the tigers. Shadowhunter paces around Dusk and tells him that he is a Watcher and that he swore an oath to protect the Dragon Speaker by being their claws and teeth. Shadowhunter then tells him that he couldn't protect Sunset, but he will protect the triplets. Shadowhunter and Dusk fight each other as Ghost, Leaf, and Rain huddle by the cavern wall. Ghost is in disbelief that Shadowhunter didn’t die and feels ashamed that he left the tiger. It becomes apparent that even in Shadowhunter’s injured state, he is evenly matched with Dusk. Dusk tries to run away, however Shadowhunter hurls towards him after bowing to the triplets. Both Shadowhunter and Dusk fall into the crater and not even the sounds of their falls are heard. The triplets rush to the crater’s edge and mourn Shadowhunter’s sacrifice.
After a long silence, darkness arises from the crater and blots out Ghost’s vision. Through the darkness, Ghost sees coils of scales and realizes that the Great Dragon is before them. Ghost stares into the Great Dragon’s pupilless glowing golden eyes and sees Orchid trudging through the snow while holding Ghost and then another vision of Winter curling around Ghost, he also sees him nursing alongside Frost, Snowstorm, and Shiver, as well as him growing up in the White Spine Mountains. Finally, Ghost sees the Great Dragon making paw prints in the snow for him to follow. Ghost understands that the Snow Cat and the Great Dragon are the same deity. The Great Dragon blinks and disappears. Leaf directs Ghost and Rain’s attention to the speaker stone which lays by the cavern entrance. Ghost, confused as to when he lost the stone and how it appeared, touches it. The stone cracks into three equal parts of different colors. The voice of the Great Dragon tells the triplets that he designed them to speak with different views. He tells Rain that the blue stone is for her and that she is the speaker of the waters and the moon. He tells Leaf that the green stone is hers and that she is the speaker of the trees and the sun. He then tells Ghost that he gets the white stone and is the speaker of the mountains and the stars. He tells the triplets that the Bamboo Kingdom is in great danger and needs them, as well as to go into the world as Dragon Speakers and that the Great Dragon will be by their side.
Chapter 22[]
Rain's point of view.
Rain, Ghost, and Leaf step out of the cavern and meet with Dasher and Shiver. They tell the others about Shadowhunter’s sacrifice and the Dragon Speaker ritual. Dasher is upset that Shadowhunter died right after he finished treating him. Rain tells him that they would be dead without Shadowhunter and that he also managed to avenge Sunset’s death. As the group leaves the Dragon Mountain, Rain thinks about what Brawnshanks is planning, but she tells herself that no matter what, the Dragon Speakers will be ready for him.
Epilogue[]
Nimbletail's point of view.
Creatures gather around a flat stone and Nimbletail sneaks through the trees. No other golden monkeys have come to gather due to Brawnshanks’ orders. Pandas climb onto the stone and Juniper complains how deteriorated the sacred sites are. A panda hushes Juniper and tells him to let Pebble concentrate. Pebble closes his eyes and is surprised to hear Rain’s voice. Pebble relays Rain’s message to the gathered creatures, saying that the Dragon Speakers have come into power and that there will be a storm up the river. The creatures rejoice that the Bamboo Kingdom has Dragon Speakers once more. Nimbletail is worried, she knows that Brawnshanks had hoped that destroying the speaker stone would stop the Dragon Speakers but it hadn’t.
Nimbletail makes her way back to the Broken Forest and sees storm clouds forming over the river just as the Dragon Speaker predicted. She looks at the hundreds of monkeys gathered in the Broken Forest and feels disappointed that she is not happy to see her distant relatives and family members. She concludes that under Brawnshanks’ leadership, the golden monkeys weren’t a family, but an army.
Trivia[]
Interesting facts[]
- Despite the book being written in English, its Chinese translation was released a little over 1 year prior on August 1st, 2021.[3]
- Pepper's motives will be explained in this book.[4]
- This is proven true as he is revealed to be a pathological liar.
Mistakes[]
- On Page 257, the word “the” is accidentally repeated twice when the Dragon is speaking to Rain.
Gallery[]
English covers[]
Hardcover, E-book, Library & Paperback Binding
Audiobook & Audio CD Binding
Textless Cover
Foreign covers[]
Unknown Binding
Textless cover
Hardcover Binding
Audiobook Binding
Hardcover & E-book Binding
E-book Binding
Paperback Binding
References[]
- ↑ Revealed on Johanna's art portfolio
- ↑ Revealed on harpercollins.com
- ↑ Revealed on linkstars.com
- ↑ Revealed on twitter.com